“When it comes to the values of Texas, the choice for the U.S. Senate is clear.”

HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, released the following statement after being declared the winner of the 2018 Texas GOP Primary for U.S. Senate, thanking Texans for their confidence in his leadership and establishing a clear contrast between his vision for Texas and that of his opponent, Congressman Robert O’Rourke:

“I am deeply grateful that Republicans in Texas turned out and put their confidence in me to continue leading the fight for Texas values in Washington. The last five years have been an incredible honor and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for 28 million Texans, from stopping national Democrats’ liberal agenda of bigger government, amnesty, and gun control, to working to fulfill our promises under new Republican majorities – including historic tax cuts, major regulatory reform, and the confirmation of principled, qualified, constitutionalist judges. I’ve worked hard to fulfill the mandate they gave me, and will continue doing so as long as I have the privilege to represent them.

“The voters of Texas will have a clear choice in November. Congressman O’Rourke is a left-wing, liberal Democrat, and is running as a vocal proponent of amnesty and open borders. Those are not the values of Texas. Texans instead want to see the border secured, and common sense legislation on the books, like Kate’s Law, which I authored and introduced in the Senate.

“Congressman O’Rourke is a vocal proponent of gun control and restricting the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens. That is a policy position embraced by Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren, but it’s not a position that reflects the values of Texans. Texans want to see violent criminals prosecuted and incarcerated, but at the same time, Texans want to see our fundamental rights, including our individual right to keep and bear arms, protected.

“At the end of the day, this election is about the people of Texas. And when it comes to the values of Texas, the choice for the U.S. Senate is clear, straightforward and direct. An overwhelming majority of Texans embrace the principles of freedom and the Constitution and want their Senator to defend their values. And that is a commitment that I will continue to uphold to all 28 million Texans I represent.”